2018 RAM 3500 Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2018 RAM 3500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal cracking sound and smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact inspected and used a fire extinguisher to slow the smoke and electrical sparks down. The contact did not notice any fire. The fire department arrived and disconnected the electrical cables to prevent further damage. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was traveling on vacation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was later towed to an RV service center. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11748890

Incident

May 28, 2026

Mileage

23,000 mi

Recall C4B with known issue and known remedy but “no parts available.” Contacted RAM and with no parts they have no solution. You can rent an auto out of pocket and possibly be reimbursed. No option for buyback or solution. Recall came out 12/5/2024.

NHTSA ID

11707555

Incident

Dec 5, 2024

On May 3, 2025, while driving my 2018 RAM 2500 with approximately 46,000 miles, the check engine light came on and the engine immediately experienced a significant loss of power. The vehicle entered a limp mode condition, drastically reducing speed and acceleration. I was forced to pull into a nearby business as the truck could not maintain safe highway speeds, creating a traffic hazard and contributing to congestion. The vehicle was diagnosed by a repair facility as having a failed turbo actuator, a critical component in regulating turbo boost and engine power delivery. After researching this issue, I have found numerous similar complaints and reports from other RAM truck owners on various owner forums and websites, indicating this may be a recurring and potentially widespread defect in these vehicles. Given that this failure occurred at relatively low mileage, caused a hazardous driving condition, and seems to be a commonly reported problem, I believe this issue warrants investigation by NHTSA for potential safety risks and manufacturer accountability. No injuries or property damage occurred, but the incident posed a significant safety risk to myself and other drivers.

NHTSA ID

11659873

Incident

May 3, 2025

The turbo actuator quit working at 103,000 miles. Loss of power. Took to Dodge dealer in Bartlesville Oklahoma to fix. I bought an extended warranty but it wouldn’t cover the cost because I have a flatbed. Out $7,500. I noticed they recalled this part on the 2015 and they need to on the 2018.

NHTSA ID

11655691

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

I WAS PULLING MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER DOWN THE INTERSTATE, AND MY ENGINE FAN CAME ON "HI". THE SUCTION FROM THE FAN CAUSED THE RUBBER FAN SHROUD TO BECOME SUCKED INTO MY FAN AND IT CUT IT INTO LARGE PIECES. THOSE PIECES WERE THEN VIOLENTLY THROWN INTO THE RADIATOR AND PUNCTURED IT RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL ENGINE COOLANT. THIS IS A KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURER DEFECT RANGING FROM 2014 TO 2018.

NHTSA ID

11586733

Incident

May 2, 2024

67A recall was not performed on my vehicle nor was I notified of it. I have had SCR catalyst issues and def issues and my vehicles constantly fails emissions. Ram and Cummins have stated that my vehicle is not included in the recall but I am having the same issues as the 67A recall.

NHTSA ID

11575111

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Since purchasing this truck brand new in 2018 we have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. Dodge Ram failed us every time. They failed to work with the dealer and ignored every attempt to find solutions. It started with vehicle loosing power on very dangerous locations a specially freeway located in curves in the middle of nowhere. It took years to fix that problem. Multiple times we drove from the shop being told that it was fixed and it wasn't. We would drive right back in after 15 min. It took over 3 years to get dodge and dealer to replace the transmission and all electrical issues. The other problem that we have had since buying this truck is the AC. Its been always a problem we are continuously trying to fix it and its been very hard. This entire summer my children have been suffering. We are driving in extreme heat with zero ac and Dodge Ram can not produce part for the dealership to fix it. What is really unfair that original dealer tried again to charge us for something that it waste the problem. We would have paid for it and would have been back within an hour. The new dealer Peterson Dodge understood the problem and was honest with us that there is a lot more then a filter. It was me who requested to get a second opinion and get a way from Larry H Miller Dodge.

NHTSA ID

11541431

Incident

Aug 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at high speeds, the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway and the ABS warning light, electronic stability control warning light, and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated but remained illuminated. The contact stated that prior to driving over the bump, the cruise control operated as designed; however, after driving over the bump, the cruise control failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone for diagnostic testing. The contact stated that several unknown codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11526636

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

Mileage

112,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated while towing a trailer full of horses, the traction control and the ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo and the ECU to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer: Jacksonville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Arlington (9600 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225: (877) 677-5782), where it was diagnosed with needing the turbo and the ECU to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ID

11515536

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

Mileage

61,000 mi

I had a warning message to service my DEF system. I had the truck checked at a RAM dealer who reported i need a new exhaust system. They had me wait a few days while they ordered parts. The message never reappeared and the truck is running fine. I dont understand why the dealer wanted me to replace my exhaust system when it apparently doesn't need one. The 2018 truck has only 18K miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11497708

Incident

Oct 22, 2022

Unsafe and very hesitant acceleration nearly causing accidents. Long lag time between pressing the accelerator and engine responding to throttle input.

NHTSA ID

11469850

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,600.

NHTSA ID

11425116

Incident

Jun 19, 2021

Mileage

33,600 mi

MY ENGINE BRAKE FAILS TO FUNCTION AFTER PROLONGED TOWING SUCH AS CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN PASS. WHEN ENCOUNTERING GRADES ON THE OTHER SIDE THE ENGINE BRAKING FAILS TO FUNCTION. THE CONDITION IS ONLY REPEATABLE IF TOWING THEREFORE THE DEALER CAN NOT REPRODUCE IT. THE CONDITION DOESN'T SET AN ENGINE CODE.

NHTSA ID

11384635

Incident

Dec 21, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT METAL FRAGMENTS HAD PENETRATED THE FUEL LINE FILTER AND INTO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11365431

Incident

Oct 19, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V818000 (EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 20V036000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SCOTT ROBINSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT (20900 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90503) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11317305

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V818000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT) AND 20V036000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT CALLED THE (HAYES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LAWRENCEVILLE DEALER, LOCATED AT,719 DULUTH HWY, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11306341

Incident

Nov 15, 2019

NMHC CATALYST SENSOR, NOX AFTERTREATMENT SENSOR, AND PM FILTER SENSOR CAN TAKE OVER 1000 MILES TO RESET AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SUCH AS UNPLUGGING THE BATTERY. THIS CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO FAIL OBDII BASED EMISSIONS TESTING. DEPENDING ON OWNERS DRIVING HABITS, THIS CAN RESULT IN LARGE FINES FROM MULTIPLE FAILED SMOG TESTS.

NHTSA ID

11282086

Incident

Nov 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF ROME (2500 NEW CALHOUN HWY NE, ROME, GA 30161, (706) 232-7793) AND JAMES O'NEAL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (634 HIGHWAY 27 NORTH, BREMEN, GA 30110, (833) 767-0581) THREE TIMES EACH, BUT NEITHER COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE OWNER INQUIRED ABOUT A BUYBACK OPTION SINCE THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE JAMES O'NEAL DEALER FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11217841

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

Mileage

86,000 mi